J&J Units Target Alvotech Simponi Biosimilars in New Patent Suit

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen units are seeking to block biosimilar versions of chronic inflammation drugs Simponi and Simponi Aria proposed by Alvotech SA subsidiaries.

Janssen Biotech Inc. and Janssen Sciences Ireland UC alleged in a new lawsuit that biosimilars proposed by Alvotech hf. and Alvotech USA Inc. infringe 14 patents related to methods for manufacturing biologic drugs such as golimumab, the active ingredient in Simponi and Simponi Aria.

The sealed complaint and its redacted version, filed June 19 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, seek damages and preliminary and permanent injunctions blocking Alvotech from selling ...